But why are the NPHC groups so ... different???

[IotaNet]

Originally posted by Senusret I
I beg to differ. If more NPHC members thought of themselves as having pledged an ORGANIZATION as opposed to a chapter, more than ten percent would go on to transfer to alumni chapters.

Actually -

I think Rainman had it right in his post. While the Undergrad to Grad retention rates are lower than any of us would like, I don't think that speaks to the concept of people pledging and organization vs. a chapter.

If you ask the average Graduate NPHC member about his affiliation, he/she will most likely say: "I am an XYZ (Iota/Alpha/etc.") He may then go on to say, "I pledged at XYZ chapter." Although the chapter affiliation is important, the prime identification is with the organization.

Regarding retention, 10% is not setting the world on fire but it's a pretty significant number. Sensuret - Think about your own Grad Chapter in DC. Although you probably initiate new members on a semi-regular basis, I'd bet that the majority of Mu Lambda's active membership is comprised of people who transitioned from the Undergraduate ranks.

Think of the words of your hymn ...

"College days do swiftly pass, imbued with mem'ries fond. And the recollection slowly fades away. Our renowned A Phi A, and dear Fraternal Bond, May they ever Abide with us and with us stay."

Or the Kappa hymn ...

When all our student days are gone, and from school we must go, Still we will honor, love and sing, They praises o'er and 'oer.

Obviously, I am not an Alpha or a Kappa but to me, that is a "built-in reminder" that one is expected to move on to the next level in the Fraternity -- and place the Fraternal affliation first.

Just my thoughts ...

[Senusret I]

IotaNet,

I understand your point, but I still disagree.

Also, the majority of "active" members in my chapter are alumni initiates.

[starang21]

Originally posted by IotaNet
Actually -

I think Rainman had it right in his post. While the Undergrad to Grad retention rates are lower than any of us would like, I don't think that speaks to the concept of people pledging and organization vs. a chapter.

If you ask the average Graduate NPHC member about his affiliation, he/she will most likely say: "I am an XYZ (Iota/Alpha/etc.") He may then go on to say, "I pledged at XYZ chapter." Although the chapter affiliation is important, the prime identification is with the organization.

Regarding retention, 10% is not setting the world on fire but it's a pretty significant number. Sensuret - Think about your own Grad Chapter in DC. Although you probably initiate new members on a semi-regular basis, I'd bet that the majority of Mu Lambda's active membership is comprised of people who transitioned from the Undergraduate ranks.

Think of the words of your hymn ...

"College days do swiftly pass, imbued with mem'ries fond. And the recollection slowly fades away. Our renowned A Phi A, and dear Fraternal Bond, May they ever Abide with us and with us stay."

Or the Kappa hymn ...

When all our student days are gone, and from school we must go, Still we will honor, love and sing, They praises o'er and 'oer.

Obviously, I am not an Alpha or a Kappa but to me, that is a "built-in reminder" that one is expected to move on to the next level in the Fraternity -- and place the Fraternal affliation first.

Just my thoughts ...

co sign, i think most brothers who are members of graduate chapters were made as undergraduates. people are very fanatic about their undergraduate chapters because that is the primary fraternal contact they have had. as a brother who was made as a graduate student, i still have a strong connection with the undergraduates and graduate students who had a part in making me. does that mean i'm going to forgo all affiliation in the grad chapter? no, but the undergrad connection is still very strong. i "intook" Iota, to wear these beautiful colors, to wear these beautiful letters, to know the sacred knowledge of my Shield, and to uphold the sacred principles. many people who get initiated through a grad chapter already have their life in order, therefore have the time to be active in their chapter. that's why you see a lot of older heads who were not inititated as grads, but were made as undergrads. they already have the time to put forth the effort. a lot of the younger members fresh out of school are still trying to secure themselves before they put the time and effort needed. of course, there are many who don't meet that.

[ChaosDST]

Originally posted by Rain Man
....NIC/NPC GLO members tend to pledge and recognize themselves as affiliated with a CHAPTER of their GLO rather than the org as a whole. NPHC orgs tend to pledge and recognize themselves as affiliated with the org as a whole, with their chapter affiliation being merely happenstance. Thus, there is much less issues dealing with transfer brothers/sister in an NPHC org than with a NIC/NPC org.

Sort of correct and maybe I am reading your post wrong. It is true that we NPHC members affiliate ourselves with our National bodies and continue to identify with our organizations upon transferring to other schools or graduating.

However, it is important to note that the majority of us do remain very attached (to varying degrees) and loyal (to varying degrees) to our chapters of initiation (through ongoing ties with older and younger chapter members, etc.), eventhough we are no longer financial members of the chapter and regular participants in all of the programs. This is sometimes discouraged, but continues to be the case (depending upon the dynamics of the chapter).

[ChaosDST]

Originally posted by Senusret I
I beg to differ. If more NPHC members thought of themselves as having pledged an ORGANIZATION as opposed to a chapter, more than ten percent would go on to transfer to alumni chapters.

I partially agree with you. However, there are many contributing factors that go into the relatively small percentage of undergrad initiates who join graduate chapters. For instance, some continue their pledge to the organization, while serving as a Member-At-Large.

[ChaosDST]

Originally posted by Senusret I
And GC is not a scientific cross-section of Greek life. If it a collection of those who have the time, leisure, and inclination to use this board as entertainment.

The ten percent yield is a fact for NPHC fraternity men. The yield is about forty percent for NPHC sorority women. (Strictly speaking of the college to alumni transition, not alumni initiates.)

You're right!

This is why alumnae and graduate chapters have been addressing this issue.

[ChaosDST]

Originally posted by starang21
where did this 10 percent come from?

The percentage is actually quite accurate.

Did you assume it to be more, based on your circle of BGLO members?

[Senusret I]

Originally posted by ChaosDST
I partially agree with you. However, there are many contributing factors that go into the relatively small percentage of undergrad initiates who join graduate chapters. For instance, some continue their pledge to the organization, while serving as a Member-At-Large.

Yeah, we're on the same page. I am particularly thinking of "Single Letter Syndrome" among other things....many other things, lol.

[ChaosDST]

Originally posted by Senusret I
Yeah, we're on the same page. I am particularly thinking of "Single Letter Syndrome" among other things....many other things, lol.

we...are....>>>>>here<<<<<<<


LOL

[HotDamnImAPhiMu]

hijack

POST WHORE ALERT!

/hijack

[Tom Earp]

I dont think this is to uncommon with any GLO. In the Words of Brother Rambo, it is the old 80-20 syndrom. 80 % dont do anything and 20% do the work.

As I understand, that NHPC GLOs depending on the Campus have smaller Chapters. Therefore, there is a greater AI induction.

Either way, it takes more than a few to make the machine work. I know that We as a Chapter would rather do it ourselves than try to depened on our International. Sad to say.

I am sure each and everyone of us have horror stories about relationships with our Hdq, but what I have found on GC, yes, more dedicated people who are members of any GLO have been able to meet others from the same GLO and those of others. I have learned a lot and hope to still keep learning!

Maybe, this is a way to say that "most" on GC are The Cream of our Organizations, those who care!

[ChaosDST]

Originally posted by HotDamnImAPhiMu
hijack

POST WHORE ALERT!

/hijack

Are you a post whore?

[ChaosDST]

Originally posted by Tom Earp
As I understand, that NHPC GLOs depending on the Campus have smaller Chapters. Therefore, there is a greater AI induction.

Care to explain?

[starang21]

Originally posted by ChaosDST
The percentage is actually quite accurate.

Did you assume it to be more, based on your circle of BGLO members?

of course, you know Iotas graduate

[ChaosDST]

Originally posted by starang21
of course, you know Iotas graduate

We're talking about graduate chapter membership, not just graduating